City of London School (CLS) – 13+, Year 9 Entry – Key Details & Prep Materials
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Table of Contents
Introduction
Founded in 1834, City of London School (CLS) is a popular independent day school for boys aged 10-18. It occupies a beautiful campus near the River Thames and provides extensive, quality education to over 1000 pupils split between six Houses, which are named after the founder of the school, former Headmasters and notable Old Citizens. [1]
The rich selection of academic opportunities at City allows students to develop an array of competencies relevant to modern life. Boys regularly excel in Olympiad, inter-house and essay competitions, growing in both academic and intellectual versatility that benefits them greatly in the years to come.
City’s curriculum further invests in maximising the cohort’s potential. Ranging from humanities and languages to sciences and technology, the comprehensive offering is delivered by high calibre teachers who encourage ‘learning for its own sake’, along with inquisitiveness both in and out of the classroom.
As well as enhancing non-academic capabilities, City’s co-curricular programme promotes the development of soft skills, primarily targeting students’ social proficiency. Fostering curiosity and initiative as vital to happiness, the clubs and societies on offer include drama, orchestra, chess, swimming, Model United Nations, the Duke of Edinburgh Award and CCF. [2]
Popular sports at City include football, basketball, cricket and water-polo. In addition to supporting athletic pursuits, the school caters to students with artistic inclinations, offering classes in painting, drawing, photography, print-making, ceramics, digital media and sculpture. The school also boasts Three-Dimensional workshops to foster advanced design projects. [3]
At the core of City’s renowned philosophy is a comprehensive approach to education, blending academic rigor with exceptional pastoral support. Hand-picked, highly professional staff implement proactive measures to cultivate well-rounded individuals, unpretentious in their endeavours to network, yet ambitious in their efforts to leave a mark.
City of London School 13 Plus (13+) Admissions Process
City is an academically selective school and attending open events as a way to commence the admissions process is highly recommended. Held in autumn, the events include a tour of the extensive facilities and a number of opportunities to meet the staff and current pupils. To learn how to book a spot, please click here.
Students must register for the 13 Plus by the October deadline (of Year 6). The exam has two stages: Stage 1 consists of the ISEB Pretest, while Stage 2 comprises an online test and a creative writing task. Those who pass will return for interviews in January. If accepted, your son will receive an offer in February, which must be confirmed by the March deadline.
City offers Scholarships and Prizes to outstanding 13+ applicants. Academic Prizes are based on 13+ exam results and an interview. Music Scholarships cover various instruments, and candidates will be expected to perform at Grade 6 level on piano and strings and Grade 5 on other orchestral instruments.
Sports Prizes are available for talented athletes, especially in football. Recipients will get funding from the Sports Prize Fund and will be expected to participate in City’s sports events.
Families with an income below specific thresholds can apply for means-tested bursaries. The number available is limited, and your son’s admissions performance will influence the decision. Besides tuition fees, the financial assistance can cover the cost for school lunches, uniforms, exam fees, and travel to and from school. Further details are available here.
City of London School 13 Plus (13+) Test Information
Address: Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4V 3AL
County: Greater London
Admissions info: [email protected] or 020 3680 6300
School type: Independent day school for boys
Open days: September, October
Exam type / Board: ISEB Pretest, bespoke online test and written test
As part of the admissions process for 13+ entry to City, your child will sit a two-stage exam. Stage 1 consists of the ISEB Common Pretest, while Stage 2 has two distinct parts:
a) Part 1 consists of a 95-minute online test, which evaluates a broad range of areas.
b) Part 2 consists of a 30-minute creative writing paper.
Read on to learn more about the format of the City of London School 13+ exam.
City of London School 13+ Exam Format
a) By late November, all prospective students must have taken the ISEB 13+ Common Pretest. The timed pretest is taken online and covers four core subjects: English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. The aim of this one-off test is to give schools an idea of a pupil’s academic potential.
b) In December, 13+ applicants will be tested using an online assessment that consists of the following sections:
– Mathematics: covers various mathematical domains, including arithmetic and problem-solving. Questions will include diagrams and/or charts.
– English: comprises multiple-choice questions for reading comprehension, grammar and punctuation.
– Non-Verbal Reasoning: features multiple-choice questions for spatial and visual reasoning.
– Verbal Reasoning: focuses on vocabulary and a pupil’s ability to discern context-based meanings.
– Puzzles & Problem Solving: comprises interactive puzzles and diagrams.
– Creative Comprehension: consists of multiple-choice questions sourced from various materials, including texts, timetables and charts.
c) On the day of the 13+ online test, your child will also be asked to complete a creative writing paper.
City of London School 13 Plus (13+) Practice Tests & Preparation Tips
Our 13+ online practice tests are very accurate, ensuring that your son’s preparation is targeted and efficient. After completion, each module is marked automatically, providing your son with feedback and explanations for every question. This allows him to identify his strengths and weaknesses and further improve his understanding of the material. Furthermore, each module can be completed independently, offering flexibility in his learning process.
CLS 13+ Stage 1 Exam
CLS 13+ ISEB Pretest Practice Tests
You can learn more about our highly accurate online ISEB Pretest practice tests by clicking on the links below. They are available to take online immediately after purchase. Comparative ranking statistics on a per module basis are provided so you can quickly identify your son’s strengths and weaknesses.
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CLS 13+ ISEB Pretest Video Courses
We’ve also produced online video courses that cover everything your child needs to know for each section of the ISEB Pretest assessment. They consist of a series of lessons that go through each question type in great detail, providing step-by-step explanations and techniques to help your child recognise the underlying patterns to look out for. The courses cover every possible question type that could come up in the ISEB Pretest.
ISEB Pretest Non-Verbal Reasoning Course
ISEB Pretest Verbal Reasoning Course
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CLS 13+ ISEB Pretest Skill Practice
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CLS 13+ Stage 2 Exam
CLS 13+ Online Practice Tests
These full mock tests are designed to provide your son with highly accurate practice ahead of his online assessment. Each practice test replicates the modules, timings and question types used in the actual exam.
Each test contains unique content, but they are all pitched at the same difficulty level as the actual assessment. This means you can easily benchmark your son’s progress as he works through the practice tests, quickly identifying his strengths and weaknesses.
13+ City of London School Practice Test 1
13+ City of London School Practice Test 2
13+ City of London School Practice Test 3
13+ City of London School Practice Test 4
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CLS 13+ Skill Practice
Our Skill Practice exercises are designed to focus on one specific question type that will come up in the City of London School 13+ exam. They are ideal for targeted practice and an efficient way to quickly improve your child’s scores in the relevant topic.
13+ City of London School Mathematics
13+ City of London School Creative Comprehension Pack 1
13+ City of London School Creative Comprehension Pack 2
13+ City of London School Puzzles & Problem Solving Pack 1
13+ City of London School Puzzles & Problem Solving Pack 2
CLS 13+ Creative Writing Exercises
To help your child prepare for the City of London School creative writing paper, taken in Year 6 as opposed to Year 8, we would highly recommend the following 11+ resources provided by our sister company, Exam Papers Plus:
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CLS 13+ Exam Preparation Tips
Integrating our practice tests into your son’s study routine can significantly boost his confidence for the upcoming exams. Here are our Top Three Tips for optimising the use of our resources:
1. Leverage the accuracy of our practice tests: Designed to mirror the real exam, our materials enable your son to align his preparation with the exam’s format, focusing on crucial topics.
2. Understand by accessing detailed explanations: Each question in our practice tests comes with a comprehensive explanation, assisting your son in grasping not only the correct answers but also the underlying concepts.
3. Identify strengths and address weak points: By examining feedback and results from each section, you can recognise your son’s strong areas and those that may require more attention. With this insight, you can fine-tune his revision plan.
By adopting these approaches, your son will be fully prepared for his exam.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about our products or if you need any further assistance with your purchase.
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The information in this post was correct at the time of publishing. However, please be aware of future changes. We advise you to contact the school directly if you are unsure of anything. School contact details are provided within the post.
Please note that Pretest Plus is an independent publisher of practice tests and not affiliated with or endorsed by the publishers of the City of London School test, ISEB Pretest or any other test publisher.
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